Accused teacher appears in court

Elkhart judge orders no contact with alleged victim.

Elkhart judge orders no contact with alleged victim.

October 06, 2006|ERIN MILLER Tribune Staff Writer

GOSHEN -- A Goshen teacher accused of having sex with a high school student appeared in court Thursday. Mel Trowbridge, 44, of Goshen, faces two counts of sexual misconduct with a minor, one a Class B felony and one a Class C felony. If convicted on both counts, Trowbridge, a teacher at Waterford Elementary School, faces up to 28 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines. Elkhart Superior Court Judge George Biddlecome entered a not guilty plea for Trowbridge at the hearing. Biddlecome also ordered Trowbridge not to have any contact with the alleged victim, who was 14 at the time the alleged crimes occurred. Court documents indicate a former student of Trowbridge's, who is now 15, had sex with the teacher at least 10. Staff writer Yonika Willis contributed to this report.